Former Massapequa business owner and resident John Francis "Jack" Greaney, Jr. died Oct. 22, 2008 after a brief illness. The 87-year-old also had a home on Oak Beach in Babylon.

"My father-in-law had an innate ability to make others feel special and at ease," said his son in law, Michael Watt of Babylon. "That quality served him well in business and in life."

In 1960 he started J. Greaney Heating & Air Conditioning out of his home and served as president of the L.I. heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Association from 1985 to 1986. Some of his jobs were at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa, Grumman in Bethpage, Calverton and Great River, Brookhaven National Laboratory and dozens of schools and municipal buildings across the island. He retired and closed his company, that had an office on Broadway in Massapequa, in 2004.

A Freeport native, he served as a gunner's mate in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. In 1954 he moved to John Street in Massapequa and lived there for 54 years and summered in his Oak Beach home.

Mr. Greaney leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Mildred (nee Muller); his children; John F. III of Massapequa, Maryann Keegan of Wantagh, Bryan J. of Massapequa and Sharon Watt of Babylon; his eight grandchildren; and his sister: Lillian Kopsky.